The Old Decatur historic neighborhood was platted in 1821, but the city was all but destroyed during the Civil War. When the town rebuilt, Victorian-styled architecture was in vogue. Many of the largest homes are in the newer portion of Old Decatur – Line and Ferry Streets. Line Street is named for the literal boundary line between the original plat and the first expansion of the city in 1836. The rest of the neighborhood has excellent examples of Victorian cottages, Craftsman, Tudor Revival, and an occasional Colonial Revival home. There is a rare example of a 1940s Art Moderne house at 522 Oak Street, constructed by local businesswoman Ruby Nash, as a wedding present for her daughter. The city’s original Carnegie Library still stands at 207 Church Street. It now houses a visual arts center which operates a free public art gallery. Old Decatur’s close proximity to Bank Street means you can easily finish (or start) your excursion at one of our local restaurants.

The Albany historic neighborhood was part of an entirely separate city, originally named New Decatur.  The city’s commercial district was along 2nd Avenue. New Decatur was plated in 1887 by the Decatur Land Improvement and Furnace Company as a sister city to “Old Decatur.” The city had its own schools, churches, post office, and supported new industries along the river. Most of the earliest houses in the neighborhood are along Sherman and Jackson Streets, and showcase a variety of Victorian era designs, each more fanciful than the next. Smaller Craftsman, Tudor, and mid-20th century houses complete the neighborhood. The Albany District is anchored by Delano Park with a rose garden, walking paths, and a playground complete with a splash pad for younger members of the household. Originally created in 1887, the park had significant upgrades constructed in the 1930s by Alabama’s first female architect, Carolyn Cortner Smith. The park was named Delano in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother, Sara Ann Delano.